Impression and bite tray for dentistry



Feb. 7, 1967 L. A. SPAULDING 3,302,289

IMPRESSION AND BITE TRAY FOR DENTISTRY Filed Oct. 21 1963 VENTOR. LAWRENCE SPAULDlN 1% ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,302,289 IMPRE$ION AND BITE TRAY FOR DENTISTRY Lawrence A. Spaulding, 301 Ocean Center Bldg, Long Beach, Calif. 90802 Filed Oct. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 317,532 2 Claims. (CI. 32-49 This invention relates toan impression and bite tray for dentistry whereby crowns, bridges, inlays and the like, can be accurately produced. The invention also relates to methods which are used in conjunction with the imp-ression and bite tray for forming such bites or impressions, or both.

The function of taking -a bite formation is so that the dentist can obtain an accurate reproduction of the patients occlusal register, so that the artificial tooth or tooth surface replacement which is to be produced shall occupy precisely the position relative to the opposing teeth and the adjacent teeth as did the original tooth. An accurate bite, therefore, reduces or eliminates the need to file or build up the tooth or teeth after they have been artificially produced. I

An object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a method and means of forming a completely accurate dental bite, and simultaneously providing an accurate impression of the teeth which are worked upon; this method and means being more accurate, rapid, and effective than methods or devices heretofore possible in the profession.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel impression and bite tray which can be easily handled and manipulated by the dentist within the patients mouth.

A feature of my invention resides in the ability to obtain a bite impression when the teeth are practically completely closed. The only thing separating the closed teeth at this point is a very thin metal foil. Since only the higher areas of the teeth on the prepared side of the mouth will make indentations on the thin metal foil of the tray, a more accurate orientation of the bite is achieved.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel impression and bite tray of the character stated which is adapted to present day needs for an accurate uncomplicated method of taking the opposing impression and bite for the purpose of restorative dentistry.

Another feature of my invention is to provide a rigid holder or plate upon which the impression and bite tray rests, to facilitate the placing of the bite tray to its position in the mouth.

Other objects, features and advantages of invention may appear from the accompanying drawing, the subjoined detailed description and the appended claims.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of my impression and bite t-r-ay.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of my impression and bite tray in a plate or positioning device to receive the same.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of my impression and bite tray in another form of adjunct plate or positioning device.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a View similar to FIGURE 4 but showing the parts reversed as when an impression is taken of the lower teeth.

FIGURE 6 illustrates the position of the tray in the mouth and prior to closing the teeth.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 but showing the teeth in closed position.

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of my impression and bite tray after an impression has been taken.

FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of my impression and bite tray after a bite has been taken.

3,392,289 Patented Feb. 7, 1967 FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIGURE 9.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 11 indicates an elongated tray formed of a thin metallic foil. The recess 12 of the tray has a substantial depth as well as length, this depth being approximately equal to the exposed length of the tooth beyond the gum line. This depth, however, may be greater or less than the exposed tooth if it is found expedient. The purpose of this metal foil tray is to retain a substantial quantity of a plastic-like compound 13, which at normal room temperatures is quite solid and rigid, but at temperatures of F. to F. is quite soft and pliable. The compound after heating will set hard when the temperature is reduced to that of the normal room. A compound of this type is known as Kerrs Green Stick Compound. My compound is not limited to the particular type used in the profession, but other similarly acting plastic compounds can be used.

Since the tray 11 is formed of a very thin metallic foil, a certain amount of rigidity can be imparted to the tray by an outwardly projecting horizontal flange 14, which is an integral part of the metal tray. The flange 14 acts as a stiffener and is of assistance when placing the tray in the patients mouth. An alternative to the flange 14 might be the tabs 15 which are somewhat longer than the flange 14 and have an additional purpose of being crimped into a positioning device, as will be subsequently described. A small handle 16 may be integrally formed on the tray 11 which is utilized by the dentist when placing the tray in the patients mouth, or when otherwise manipulating the tray in its use.

The length of the bowl 12 in the tray 11 is such that a number of teeth can be accommodated to obtain an impression thereof, that is, the length may accommodate 2, 3, 4 or more teeth, as might be required'or expedient. Also the depth of the bowl 12 is material and such that the compound 13 therein, when impressed by closing of the teeth, will take an impression of the teeth for substantially the full exposed length of the teeth beyond the gum line. The depth of the bowl 12 can vary and can be greater or less than the exposed length of the teeth, as described. The handle 16 and the flange 14 will tend to stiffen the foil tray 11 so that sutficient rigidity is provided to enable the dentist to accurately position or place the tray in the patients mouth, so that when the teeth are closed an accurate impression and bite will be obtained.

As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, a supplemental rigid holder or plate 17 may be provided, and this holder is of proper shape, length and curvature to accommodate the tray 11. The holder is in the shape of a trough with sides 18 to properly retain the tray 11. A handle 19 on the holder 17 enables the doctor to grasp the holder and to effectively manipulate the holder and the tray 11 to position this tray properly in the patients mouth. As shown in FIGURE 3, the tray 17 may be of sufficient width to compensate for the jaw curvature on either the left or the right side, and thus the holder is universal and can be used on either side of the jaw. Suitable grooves 20 may be provided in the holder 17, as shown in FIGURE 3, to accommodate the front teeth when an impression is being taken of the back teeth. In FIGURE 2 the holder 17 may be curved, and in this case the holder may be constructed one for the left and one for the right side of the jaw. To hold the tray 11 in position in the holder 17 the tabs 15 on both sides of the tray 11 are pressed into grooves 21, which will thus hold the tray 11 in position even though the holder 17 may be turned up-side down, as when an impression is taken of the lower teeth.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the tray 11 with the compound 13 therein has been positioned in the patients mouth between the upper set of teeth 22 and the lower set of teeth 23. The compound 13 in this instance is exposed to the lower teeth 23. When the teeth are closed the lower teeth 23 will embed into the compound 13 to form an impression 24. The upper teeth 22 will then make a bite impression 25 on the bottom of the foil tray 11, as shown in FIGURE 9. It will be noted from FIGURE 10 that the impression 24 extends almost or entirely through the compound 13, and thus the only thing separating the upper and lower teeth 2223 'will be the thin foil layer of the tray 11. Thus the teeth are almost completely closed, as in the natural bite. This provides for greater accuracy and definition of both the impression and the bite. Only the higher areas of the teeth on the prepared side of the mouth will make indentations on the outer soft thin pliable metal foil of the tray 11. This makes for more accurate orientation of the bite. By prepared side is meant the side which has been worked upon by the dentist.

If it is desired to make the bite 25 more discernible and accurate, the bottom of the tray 11 may have a thin layer of cement brushed thereon, and when the teeth bite through this soft cement layer and after the cement hardens, a very clear and discernible bite pattern will be achieved.

The metal foil of which the tray 11 is made is preferably very thin and flexible and can be easily manipulated by hand, and can be easily shaped in an appropirate mold to its proper elongated cup or bowl-like shape, and which will retain its hand shaped position after the compound 13 has been poured into it and after that compound sets. The set compound is quite rigid and firm and will readily 1 retain its shape within the tray 11. When heated over an appropriate flame the compound softens and becomes very pliable, as is well known in the art.

Having described my invention, I claim: 1. An impression and bite tray for use in dentistry, comprising,

an elongated tray formed of thin metallic foil, said tray having a substantial depth, an impression compound filling said tray, a handle formed on one end of said tray, and a holder formed of a rigid material and shaped to receive and retain said tray, said holder supporting the tray for positioning the tray in a patients mouth. 2. An impression and bite tray for use in dentistry, comprising,

an elongated tray formed of thin metallic foil, said tray having a substantial depth, an impression compound filling said tray, a flange integrally formed on the open side of the tray, a handle formed on one end of said tray, and a holder formed of a rigid material and shaped to receive and retain said tray, said holder supporting the tray for positioning the tray in a patients mouth.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,038,156 12/1913 Telle 32l7 1,663,695 3/1928 Foster 3217 1,979,493 11/1934 Salvio 32-19 ROBERT E. MORGAN, Acting Primary Examiner. 

1. AN IMPRESSION AND BITE TRAY FOR USE IN DENTISTRY, COMPRISING, AN ELONGATED TRAY FORMED OF THIN METALLIC FOIL, SAID TRAY HAVING A SUBSTANTIAL DEPTH, AN IMPRESSION COMPUND FILLING SAID TRAY, A HANDLE FORMED ON ONE END OF SAID TRAY, AND A HOLDER FORMED OF A RIGID MATERIAL AND SHAPED TO RECEIVE AND RETAIN SAID TRAY, SAID HOLDER SUPPORTING THE TRAY FOR POSITIONING THE TRAY IN A PATIENT''S MOUTH. 